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Nutrition and Dietetics

DPD Program

Nutrition and Dietetics

Mission and Overview

a group of students smiling at the cameraAs the scope of dietetics broadens, teaching activities and learning activities should provide students with a strong foundation in liberal arts and sciences, technology and information systems, food science, food service management, and nutrition. The Nutrition and Dietetics program is designed to provide students with a culturally versatile education that prepares them to promote the nutrition and well-being of individuals and groups in a variety of settings. Students may pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, also known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program. Collectively, the knowledge and experiences obtained from the programs will equip graduates with the tools and skills required to confidently fulfill jobs in food service, community nutrition, and dietetics.

Registration Examination

Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum degree requirement for eligibility to take the registration examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) changed from a bachelor’s degree to a graduate degree. To meet the new eligibility requirements, UDC has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) for an accredited future graduate program (GP) to offer a graduate degree with supervised experiential learning (SEL) activities. The SEL is frequently referred to as an internship or dietetic internship. Therefore, at UDC students will be able to complete graduate courses and SEL in a seamless one-step to be eligible to sit the RDN credentialing exam. During the transition to the accredited graduate program, the current didactic program in dietetics (DPD) remains accredited. The undergraduate program in Nutrition and Dietetics continues to admit students. The undergraduate program may be used as a prerequisite for the graduate program. Students who complete the Nutrition and Dietetics undergraduate degree or satisfy the graduate eligibility requirements at UDC will be preselected for the GP. This will eliminate applying through Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Services (DICAS) and matching.

Faculty Contacts

Undergraduate Program

Dr. B. Michelle Harris
202-274-5739
bharris@udc.edu

Graduate Program

Dr. Dwane Jones
202-738-0799
dwane.jones@udc.edu

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